The day of the last race of the Saturday season finally dawned. This was to be the last of three more 'last races' for Still Festering this season: The last Saturday PRSC race, the last Sunday Combined Clubs race, and the last Wednesday twilight series race....
The A flag was flying at the club (which is usually enough to make anyone smile), and it meant that the much anticipated handicap start race was on the cards. Final checks of start times ensued, and the fleet was milling around the start area, keen with anticipation. One by one the fleet was set on their way down to the islands on course 5. First off was Black Velvet, followed by Bush Telegraph, then two of the Div 3 boats Firefly and Xena. The other Div 1 boats then started their procession with LOEG then AOE, Resurgent and then SF. The Div 3 scratch boat Farrago finally got away after SF.
From SF's point of view, it was very interesting to be watching the fleet from behind, observing the wind shifts and tactics. Once we cleared Searles we could see a large part of the fleet and understood the assignment.
Racing around the islands usually means we encounter at least one fleet of either Hartleys or dinghys, and today didn't disappoint. Carefully making our way down to Snapper we were with AOE, LOEG and RGT and the Hartleys came through. Along the Balmain shore and the breeze was freshening to 15 knots. Finally it was a quick reach along Cockatoo and up went the kite.
It threatened to get tight at Wrights Point, but no, the breeze was kind and we cleared the police buoy without too much excitement. Then we could see BT and BV in the distance at Searles and the chase was on. The three of us went past the club and could hear BT hail BV not to go too close to the club due to the rock shelf off the deck..... Luckily BV escaped without touching the bottom.
At mark #1 SF had taken the lead, with RGT, BT, BV, and AOE not far behind. The team of LOEG were having a relaxing day sail without any spinnaker, and BAM was seen at the helm in his usual relaxed pose. In Div 3, Farrago was chasing hard, but Xena and Firefly were still in front.
The positions didn't change too much for the remainder of the race, with RGT and AOE chasing hard on each leg. The final wash up was SF, RGT and AOE, with a six second split between BV and BT for fourth and fifth place. In Div 3, Xena proved too strong for Farrago and managed to get over the line in first place, with Firefly retiring from the race.
Congratulations are in order for Bush Telegraph for their first series win. Well done guys! Also to Xena Warrior Princess for the win in the Autumn series in Div 3.
From SF's point of view, it was very interesting to be watching the fleet from behind, observing the wind shifts and tactics. Once we cleared Searles we could see a large part of the fleet and understood the assignment.
Racing around the islands usually means we encounter at least one fleet of either Hartleys or dinghys, and today didn't disappoint. Carefully making our way down to Snapper we were with AOE, LOEG and RGT and the Hartleys came through. Along the Balmain shore and the breeze was freshening to 15 knots. Finally it was a quick reach along Cockatoo and up went the kite.
It threatened to get tight at Wrights Point, but no, the breeze was kind and we cleared the police buoy without too much excitement. Then we could see BT and BV in the distance at Searles and the chase was on. The three of us went past the club and could hear BT hail BV not to go too close to the club due to the rock shelf off the deck..... Luckily BV escaped without touching the bottom.
At mark #1 SF had taken the lead, with RGT, BT, BV, and AOE not far behind. The team of LOEG were having a relaxing day sail without any spinnaker, and BAM was seen at the helm in his usual relaxed pose. In Div 3, Farrago was chasing hard, but Xena and Firefly were still in front.
The positions didn't change too much for the remainder of the race, with RGT and AOE chasing hard on each leg. The final wash up was SF, RGT and AOE, with a six second split between BV and BT for fourth and fifth place. In Div 3, Xena proved too strong for Farrago and managed to get over the line in first place, with Firefly retiring from the race.
Congratulations are in order for Bush Telegraph for their first series win. Well done guys! Also to Xena Warrior Princess for the win in the Autumn series in Div 3.
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